Alternative Fuel For M998

[williamh]

Since I live in so cal. I’ve been seeing a lot of this bio diesel. And found this write up. Thought I’d share it.
If you have a diesel-powered motorhome, or tow vehicle, you are probably used to seeing fuel pumps labeled with biodiesel content. Typically, they are marked with B-5 and up to B20. This is the percentage of the oilseed produced biodiesel that is in the fuel. Like the “E” (Ethanol) that many gasoline pumps dispense, we take little notice. However, the biodiesel may not be that diesel-engine friendly, or in particular, to those diesel-powered RV’s.

First, if you have a Mercedes diesel engine, as many RV’s are now using, you had better read your manual. These engines will operate on up to B-5, but not above. The use of B20 fuel may do serious damage to the motor and may not be covered by the factory warranty.

Newer Cummins engines, say models in the past 10 years, are capable of operating on any biodiesel up to B20. However, there are precautions to observe for the use of B20. Minor issues with possible earlier fuel filter changes are not a big problem. However, layups of three months or more with B20 fuel is another story.

Beware of B20 in Idle Vehicles
We see trucks fueling with this and running without issue. However, they are always working and never parked for an extended time. RV’s, in most cases, are subject to extended periods of non-use. This makes them extremely exposed to internal system damage should B20 fuel be present.


Apparently, the sustainable-farmed fuel is not so friendly to some seal materials and metallic compositions that may be found within the fuel system. Even the injectors can suffer corrosive damage if the solution sits there for an extended period of time.

Biodiesel can be found in many states. The retailers are offered incentives to handle and sell it. B20, for example, may have a substantial tax rebate compared to regular fuel. This has driven fuel retailers to sell these higher percentage biofuels to offer lower prices and increase their profits. In some areas it may be impossible to avoid having to use it.

 

[badger_610889]

Hi folks, a few months ago, my M1123 was hard to start and wouldn’t run too long after it started. It felt like some water made it to the fuel line.
It was driving me nuts. I flushed the fuel tank, drained the line, etc. replaced glow plugs with good new ones, checked everything, even questioned the IP timing, etc.

After a couple refills (8-10 gallons at a time with biokleen additive) I started to find that the truck was running better, but not perfect. I kept driving it like this almost daily for a couple months.
The last thing I had forgotten to check was the injectors themselves (though I flushed the line, ran the truck with the injectors return line flushing to a glass, etc) and guess what… cleaning them in acetone, I found droplets of gooey stuff as if water had gone into the line.

I shared that with my son who came back for Easter and guess what…

He mentioned he should have said that he filled the hmmwv with biodiesel. This was a week before the problems started to happen. I still don’t know if that’s the actual root cause, but moving forward I’ll stay away from the biodiesel that’s supposed to be compatible with diesel.
I’d not put anything special in any of my vehicles unless I know they’re made for it, or if I modify them and service them to run so.